Things to do in Ireland
We hope that some of you coming from abroad will have the chance to travel around a little while in Ireland. Here are a few ideas to get you started!
A good place to start is www.ireland.com, which is run by the Irish Tourist Board, but we can recommend the following attractions and destinations:
County Offaly / County Westmeath (where Sinead grew up)
Dublin:
Ireland's capital city is the perfect size to explore in a couple of days and is very accessible both by foot and by bike (in particular the city bike hire scheme is great value).
Here are some suggestions for things to do:
- Guinness Storehouse where Guinness is still made to this day
- Trinity College, where Sinead went to University
- Dublin Castle, traditionally the centre of British power in Ireland
- Kilmainham Gaol, a jail where members of the Irish resistance were held, a bus journey from the city centre but well worth a visit
- Dublin Writers Museum, learn more about Joyce, Beckett, Behan and Shaw
- Grafton Street and St Stephens Green for shopping and eating out
Galway and the West
The west coast of Ireland is much more rugged and traditional than the east coast and is a fantastic place to visit if you have a few days.
Galway city is a small but vibrant city with a large student population and a strong tradition for Irish music. Try Shop Street for the pubs and nightlife.
Aran Islands are a group of three islands a short ferry ride from Galway. Irish/Gaelic is still the spoken language here and the Atlantic ocean is fierce - take a rain jacket!
Belfast and Northern Ireland:
In spite of, or perhaps because of, its recent troubled history, Northern Ireland and Belfast have really flourished in the past number of years. While there still are obvious tensions between the different groups in many areas, the peace process is going well and tourism is booming.
Belfast City is home of the Titantic and a large visitors centre was recently opened to mark the 100 year anniversary. It is also possible to take a black cab to see some of the wall murals which depict different events during the war, known in Ireland as "The Troubles" (which is typically Irish; it wasn't a war, just a little misunderstanding......)
http://visit-belfast.com/
We hope that some of you coming from abroad will have the chance to travel around a little while in Ireland. Here are a few ideas to get you started!
A good place to start is www.ireland.com, which is run by the Irish Tourist Board, but we can recommend the following attractions and destinations:
County Offaly / County Westmeath (where Sinead grew up)
- Kilbeggan Distillery: One of the oldest Irish whiskey distilleries in the country. Located 5 minutes drive from Sinead's family home. Approximately 1,5 hours drive from Lisnavagh. Make sure to check opening hours before making your way there. http://www.kilbeggandistillery.com
- Tullamore Dew Distillery is a slightly larger distillery in the town where Sinead's parents grew up and Sinead had a summer job as a tour guide many years ago (notice a pattern?!). http://www.tullamoredew.com/en/our-birthplace
Dublin:
Ireland's capital city is the perfect size to explore in a couple of days and is very accessible both by foot and by bike (in particular the city bike hire scheme is great value).
Here are some suggestions for things to do:
- Guinness Storehouse where Guinness is still made to this day
- Trinity College, where Sinead went to University
- Dublin Castle, traditionally the centre of British power in Ireland
- Kilmainham Gaol, a jail where members of the Irish resistance were held, a bus journey from the city centre but well worth a visit
- Dublin Writers Museum, learn more about Joyce, Beckett, Behan and Shaw
- Grafton Street and St Stephens Green for shopping and eating out
Galway and the West
The west coast of Ireland is much more rugged and traditional than the east coast and is a fantastic place to visit if you have a few days.
Galway city is a small but vibrant city with a large student population and a strong tradition for Irish music. Try Shop Street for the pubs and nightlife.
Aran Islands are a group of three islands a short ferry ride from Galway. Irish/Gaelic is still the spoken language here and the Atlantic ocean is fierce - take a rain jacket!
Belfast and Northern Ireland:
In spite of, or perhaps because of, its recent troubled history, Northern Ireland and Belfast have really flourished in the past number of years. While there still are obvious tensions between the different groups in many areas, the peace process is going well and tourism is booming.
Belfast City is home of the Titantic and a large visitors centre was recently opened to mark the 100 year anniversary. It is also possible to take a black cab to see some of the wall murals which depict different events during the war, known in Ireland as "The Troubles" (which is typically Irish; it wasn't a war, just a little misunderstanding......)
http://visit-belfast.com/
Nothern Ireland also has some of the island's most spectacular scenary, including beaches, castles, cliffs, rope bridges and of course, the Giant's Causeway - a group of volanic rocks in columns jutting out into the sea and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/
NB - Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and although there are no border controls, the currency does change from Euro to Pounds Sterling and distances from kilometers to miles.
If you planning to drive with your rental car, be sure to check with the car rental company that it is allowed to take the car across the border.
http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/
NB - Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and although there are no border controls, the currency does change from Euro to Pounds Sterling and distances from kilometers to miles.
If you planning to drive with your rental car, be sure to check with the car rental company that it is allowed to take the car across the border.